Obama also sought to tamp down controversy surrounding comments over the weekend from a supporter. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark said in a television appearance that the Vietnam War-era military service of John McCain, Obama’s Republican opponent, does not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief.

McCain was a fighter pilot who was captured and held as a prisoner of war for more than five years.

Obama said that patriotism “must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice” and sought to distance himself from Clark’s remarks without mentioning them.

“For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country—no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary,” Obama said. “And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides.”

The comment drew loud applause.

Separately, in a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “As he’s said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain’s service, and of course he rejects yesterday’s statement by General Clark.”

Wesley Clarks’ comments were definitely over the top but Obama is being disingenuous about his surrogates attempts at smearing John McCain. Note that Senator Jay Rockefeller made similar comments and when called on them, quickly apologized.

Barry needs to completely disavow Clark’s comments and “FIRE” him from the campaign. So, he went half way today.

These type of campaign tactics might excite the LEFT and lately they have been pushing this crap through the blogosphere but impugning a man who has been tortured for his country will not win you any friends with American voters.

Flap bets you won’t be seeing Wesley Clark around much……..

Update:

Geraghty over at National Review has the seven attacks on McCain’s war record. A concerted attack?

After statements by a half-dozen high-profile Democrats and Obama
surrogates, you cannot persuade me that there is not a concerted effort
on the part of Obama Democrats to criticize McCain on his war record. George McGovern, Jay Rockefeller, Tom Harkin, Democratic congressional candidate Bill Gillespie, Ed Schultz, Tony McPeak,
and now Clark. Way too many to be coincidence. We’re seeing a lot more
derisive comments about McCain’s wartime service than we are about
Obama’s race.

You bet it is a concerted and a drawn out organized attack.

But, if you made the comment about Obama’s lack of ANY military service it falls on deaf ears.